The Lassonde School of Engineering at York University has launched a new, innovative Mechatronics Bachelor of Engineering degree that integrates multiple engineering disciplines with hands-on industry experience in a single four-year program. Dean Jane Goodyer says the program's focus on experiential learning, leadership, creativity, and problem-solving will prepare students for success in a rapidly transforming workplace.
"What excites me most about mechatronics engineering is the creativity, empathy and big-picture thinking it demands," says Goodyer. "Our new Mechatronics program brings together computer science with mechanical, electrical, software, space and computer engineering to prepare students to design AI-enabled technologies that work seamlessly with people in homes, workplaces, and communities - to make life more sustainable and inclusive. We're preparing students to lead in a world transformed by AI - equipping them to use it as a tool, understand its limitations, and apply it ethically and responsibly to solve problems people care about most."
The degree promises to prepare integrative, interdisciplinary engineers who can use advances in AI to solve complex, real-world problems from day one.
"The goal of mechatronics is to provide the necessary technical background so that any graduate is well prepared for that, but also providing the soft skills, work and life experiences that will make them well suited for careers in industry," says Mechatronics Program Director Michael Jenkin, also a professor at Lassonde. "One of the things that's particularly exciting about Mechatronics is that the systems interact with the real world. So, it's not just something in software that exists in simulated isolation."
In the first-year block model option, students focus on one course at a time rather than juggling several at once. Lassonde has tested this approach in recent years, and early results show it is helping students achieve higher grades, reduce stress and find a better study-life balance. Another innovation is cross-year collaboration, with students in upper years acting as mentors to students in lower years.
Third-year Engineering student Chantal Hanna, who recently transitioned into the Mechatronics Engineering discipline to prepare for a career in robotic automation, says the program opens doors to a wide range of emerging fields.
"I would absolutely recommend the Mechatronics program to students who are looking for a balance of creativity, design and technology," says Hanna. "Mechatronics is teaching me to see technology not just as machinery, but as a way to connect with the future and innovate with purpose. There are always new advancements in tech, and this is the field that will continue to grow alongside those advancements."
Students gain work experience through two mandatory work terms plus optional co-op placements for durations of four to 16 months, which participating employers say will help them accelerate talent recruitment.
"By making work-integrated learning, co-op and employability skills mandatory components of the Mechatronics curriculum, graduates will be equipped to excel in the global market, make meaningful contributions from day one, and achieve long-term career success," says Jack Collier, a senior defence scientist with Defence Research and Development Canada. "At DRDC, we are constantly seeking innovative solutions to respond to talent shortages."
Recognizing employers' desires for well-rounded graduates to join their teams, the program also requires at least 12 hours of extracurricular leadership or teamwork experience, which could include playing a team sport, volunteering with a community organization, playing in a band, or joining a choir.
"Beyond the classroom, students build leadership and teamwork skills through volunteering, clubs and community projects, and gain confidence by mentoring and collaborating on multi-year teams," says Goodyer. "With work-integrated learning and strong employer partnerships, our graduates will be ready to shape technology that connects with society and ensures AI serves people first."
